Fishing tool



June 17, 1941. J, 4 CHAPPELL 2,245,571

FISHING T001.

Filed Feb.' 1e, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 June 17, 1941. JF; QHAPEELL 2,245,571

FISHING TOOL Filed Feb. 16, 1939 2 Shee'cs-SheefI 2 Patented June 17, 1941 UNITED STATES lPATENT A, I OFFICE m8312512@ v u James F. Channel Mineola, Tex. Applicatin1lm 16; 256,643

This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in iishing tools. lf

One object of the invention is to provide an sleeve being arranged to be dropped from the surface so that said gripping elements may be improved fishing tool for inserting and removingI f drill bits, packers and other elements, from a well casing, tubing or the like. y

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fishing tool which vis particularly adapted for use in oil field work andwliichffiinf cludes retractible gripping elements arrangedtc'olbe expanded into engagement with a tubular member so as to establish a positive connection between the tool and member, whereby said member is supported solely by the tool and may be run into or removed from the well bore` with said tool.

An important object of the invention is to proy vide an improved tool, of the character described,

which is adapted to be connected with a well de-` vice, whereby thc device may be lowered into ther well bore by means of said tool; said tool being constructed so that it may be readily disconnected from the well device at any desired time and removed from the bore toleave said device in the bore at the desired elevation, the removal of the tool clearing the well bore and obviating the possibility of said tool interfering with any of the well operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tool, of the character described, having radially movable gripping elements for engaging the devicel to be. lowered or raised, which elements are constructed so that they remain in their retracted position during the lowering of the tool through a well bore, whereby the tool may be utilized to pick up a Well device which has been previously set in the bore; said elements being arranged to be expanded into connecting position by an upward movement of the tool, thereby making it possible to readily make the connection with the device to be removed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved tool adapted to be connected with a well device at the surface so that said device may be lowered through the well bore with said tool, said tool being constructed so that the gripping elements thereof may be readily retracted at any desired time and locked in such retracted position, whereby said tool may be disconnected from the well device and removed from the well bore.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved fishing tool wherein a sleeve is associated with the iatching means which holds the gripping elements ina retracted position, said positively locked in their retracted position when desired.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and part- 1y in section, showing a fishing tool constructed in accordance with the invention as it is being lowered into a member to be removed,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the fishing tool connected to the member,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the upper portion of the tool showing the movable elements locked in their upper position,

Figure 4 is horizontal, `cross-sectional -\view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-4-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is an enlarged isometric view, a portion of which is broken away, of the elongate sleeve having slots therein for receiving the arms,

Figure 9 is a similar view of the coupling collar,

Figure 10 is a similar view of the lower thimble,

Figure 11 is a. similar view of the short collar, and ,i v,

Figure 12 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a modified form of the fishing tool connected to an ordinary pipe.

In the drawings, the numeral IIl designates a well casing of the usual construction through which a iishing tool A is arranged to be lowered on a wire line or cable II.

The shing tool A includes a swivel socket I2 carried by the wire the tapered surface I4, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is preferably made integral with said mandrel. The head is of greater diameter than the seat I4, whereby an external annular shoulder I6 is formed on the mandrel and surrounds the lower end of said seat. The lower end of the head I has its peripheral edge portion bevelled or tapered as shown at I5'.

A collar I1, having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the mandrel I3, is slidably mounted on said mandrel above the tapered surface I4. A plurality of slots I8 are provided in the upper end of the collar I1, while a plurality of vertical grooves or recesses I9 are formed in -the external surface of said collar as shown in Figure 11. clined inwardly and downwardly from a point flush with the exterior of the sleeve to a point midway between the inner and outer surfaces thereof. Each slot I8 overlies one of the grooves I3 and has its bottom inclined or bevelled in' wardly from the horizontal to form an inclined seat I8' for a short angular gripping element or dog 20.

The dogs 20 have their upper ends turned or bent upon themselves at an angle of less than 90 degrees, whereby the inclination of the upper ends of said dogs is complementary to the inclined seats I8 and grooves I9. The seats I8 serve to support the dogs which engage within the grooves I 9 and have their inner surfaces contiguous to the inclined lower surface or bottom of said grooves as shown in Figure 1. Each dog is bent outwardly at 20' so that the lower portion of the dog extends substantially parallel to the mandrel I3 when said dog is within its groove and is supported by its seat. The lower extremity of each dog is bent upon itself at an angle greater than 90 degrees. or at right angles to the vertical upper portion of said dog, so as to form outwardly extending lugs 2I, which are arranged to engage within the well device. or other member to be removed from the casing, as will be hereinafter explained.

A cylindrical thimble 22, having an internal diameter equal to the external diameter of the collar I1, is adapted to engage around the latter. as shown in Figures 1, 2 and '1. A plurality of vertical grooves or recesses 23 are formed in the inner surface of the thimble 22 at its lower portion, as is clearly shown in Figure 10. Each recess is arranged to receive one of the dogs 20 as shown in Figure 6, whereby said dogs will be confined between the collar I1 and thimble 22. A pair of diametrically opposed openings I1' are provided in the collar I1. while a similar pair of openings 22' are formed in the thimble 22, whereby said collar and thimble rma-y be fastened together by a pair of screws 24 sn as to hold the dogs 20 in place. The upper end of the thimble 22 is internally screw-threaded, as shown .at 25, and an elongate cylindrical tube 28 is threaded thereinto. The tube 26 has substantially the same diameter as the collar I1 and is slidable with relation to the mandrel.

A coupling collar 21, having a screw-threaded bore. is secured to the upper end of the tube 28 and is provided with an internal. annular shoulder 28 at its upper end (Figure`9). An elongate, cylindrical sleeve 29 is screw-threaded into the upper end of the coupling 21 and has its lower end abutting the upper end of the tube 28. The sleeve has the same internal diameter as the tube so as to be slidable on the mandrel and is formed with a plurality of longitudinal, elongated slots The grooves I9 are in- 33 between its externally screw-threaded ends, as is clearly shown in Figure 8. The slots 38 have their upper ends 30' rounded or tluted upwardly and outwardly, while their lower ends are provided with internal, vertical flanges 3| which form external, horizontal shoulders 32. The internal shoulder 28 of the coupling 21 is in the same horizontal plane as the shoulders 32, as shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, whereby recesses for receiving the reduced lower ends of a plurality of upright arms 33 are provided.

The arms 33 have their upper ends rounded or bevelled, as shown at 33', so as to be complementary to the iiuted upper ends 30 of the slots 30, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. The bevelled ends 33 of the arms are held in engagement with the fluted ends 30 of the slots by a cylindrical thimble 35 which is screw-threaded upon the upper end of the sleeve 29. The upper end of the bore of the thimble 35 is reduced so as to snugly engage and be slidable on the mandrel, while the extreme lower end of said bore is tapered or flared outwardly at 35' to engage around and abut the outer surface of the upper ends of the arms. Thus, the arms 33 are held in position on the sleeve 29 by the coupling 21 and thimble 35. A lug or projection 34, having downwardly and inwardly inclined upper and lower surfaces, is provided on the inner surface of each arm 33 adjacent its reduced lower end, and each lug is arranged to engage within an external groove or recess I 3' formed in the manldrel I3, as will be hereinafter fully explained.

The well device, tool or other member B to be inserted within or removed from the well casing I0, or from the well bore if no casing is located therein, is provided lwith an axial, cylindrical bore or recess 38 in its upper end. An annular. bevelled seat 31' is formed within the bore 38 by an internal, annular groove 31 provided therein. The upper surface of the annular groove is inclined upwardly and outwardly to form an annular downwardly extending shoulder or lips 38 which is arranged to be engaged by the lugs 2| of the dogs 28 to connect the member B to the fishing tool A. An internal, annular, bevelled seat 36 surrounds the upper end of the bore 3B of the member, which seat is adapted to co-act with the seat I5' ofthe head I5 for guiding said head into said bore.

In operation, the fishing tool A, having its tubular elements in the position shown in Figure 1, is lowered into the well casing Ill on the wireline II. It is noted that the elements carried by the mandrel I3 will tend to ride upwardly thereon so that the thimble 35 abuts the socket I2, due to the fact that said mandrel is connected directly to said socket and that the members are slidable thereon. The dogs 20 will, of course, be in their normal or inward position, as shown in Figure 1. The lowering of the shing tool is continued until the head I5 of the mandrel enters the bore 35 of the member B. If the head is not in alinement with the bore, the bevelled seats I5 and 38' of said head and bore, respectively, will coact to guide the former into the latter. In the event that the dogs are engaging the shoulder I8 when the head I5 enters the bore it will be seen that said dogs will strike the bevelled shoulder 36', whereby further downward movement thereof will be arrested until the mandrel has lowered sufficiently to move its cylindrical portion opposite said dogs, at which time the dogs may swing inwardly to retract the same and perlmit them to enter the bore of the member B.

Downward movement of the shing tool A is halted when the lugs 2I vof the dogs 20 are below the groove 31 or in substantial horizontal alinement with the bevelled seat 31. At such time,

.the dogs will move downwardly and abut the frusta-conical seat I4 of the mandrel, wheae-by the lugs 2| of said dogs will be forced outwardly a slight distance into the annular groove 31.v The fishing tool and wire line are then raised which will move the mandrel upwardly with relation to the tubular elements mounted thereon. lThese elements will remain stationary, since the lugs of the dogs will engage the inclined shoulder 38 of the member B. The upward movement of the mandrel causes the dogs to move outwardly and downwardly along the seat I4 until they strike and rest upon the shoulder I6 of said mandrel as shown in Figure 2. At this time, the collar I1 will engage the upper edge of the seat I4 and the thimble 22 will be contiguous to the outer-surface of the dogs to hold the same in position. The member B is thus coupled to the shing tool A and upon removing the latter from the casing,

the former is also removed therefrom.

It will thus be seen that an effective and quick coupling of the fishing tool with the member B may be made within the casing. It is pointed out that the member B may be inserted Within the casing by` the fishing tool as well as removed therefrom. It is also noted that due to the bevelled seats I5' and 36', the head I5 is-positively guided into the bore of the member.

, When it becomes desirable to remove the shing tool A from the well casing and leave the member B therein, it is necessary to disconnect the same. To effect this disconnection, the mandrel I3 is moved downwardly from the position shown in Figure 2, whereby the head I5 of said mandrel is lowered within the bore 36 of the member B. This permits the dogs 20 to move downwardly until the lugs 2l on said dogs strike the bevelled seat 31', at which time further downward movement of the dogs 20, sleeve 22, and its associate parts, is arrested. Lowering of the mandrelfis continued until the lower end of the socket I2 strikes the upper end of the thimble (Figure 3) and when this occurs, the annular groove I3' of the mandrel is alined with, or in the same horizontal plane as, the lugs 34 of the arms 33. The lowering of the mandrel, as above' set forth, also moves the tapered portion I4 into a plane below the dogs 20 which have their lugs 2| within the annular groove 31 of the member B. After the parts have moved to this position,

with the lugs 34 alined with the groove I3' in the mandrel and the tapered portion I4 misalined with the dogs 20, a heavy sleeve or pipe section 39 is dropped or lowered into the well casing, it being preferable to drop said sleeve on the Wire line, whereby said line guides the same into position. 'I'he pipe section 39 is of such diameter that it will engage around and slide over the socket I2 and thimble 35, and said pipe has its lower end internally bevelled so that it will be guided into alinement with said socket and thimble. The bevelled lower end of the pipe section will ride over the arms 33 and come torest upon the upper end of the coupling 21. This will cause the arms to be forced inwardly so as to move the lugs 34 thereof into the groove I3 of the mandrel, as is clearly shown in Figure 3. Such engagement of the lugs within the groove locks the tubular elements in the position shown in Figure 1 with relation to each other.

Continued downward movement of the fishing tool will cause the lugs 2l of the dogs to disengage the shoulder 38 andengage the bevelled seat 31' of the member B, which-engagement will force the dogs lnwardlyto their original position. This inward movement of the dogs is permittedbecause the seat I4 and head I5 of the mandrel have moved away from said dogs and are no longer holding the same in their outer or expanded position; With the dogs in their inward or unexpanded position, the lwire line I I, pipe section 39 and fshingtool Ay may be lifted through the casing III-and the member B will remain within said casing.'

Obviously, the dropping or lowering of the pipe section 39 causes the same to strike the upper end of the coupling 21, whereby said coupling and the other elements slidably mounted on the mandrel will be jarred. This jarring action of the pipe section will tend to dislodge the lugs 2| of the dogs from their engagement with the shoulder 38 so as to aid the inward movement of said dogs.

It is pointed'out that the fishing tool A may be employed for inserting a tool or other member B within a casin'gas well as for removing a member therefrom. Also, the diameter of the shing tool may be reduced so that it may be operated within a tubing of small diameter. In either case, the operation of the fishing tool would be accomplished in the same manner, as hereinbefore set forth, and the connection and disconnection of the fishing tool to the member may be quickly and easily made. n

In Figure 12, another Aform` of the invention is shown and includes a cylindrical vmandrel I3a having an elongated bevelled seat I4a and head I5a. Theshort collar I1, thimble 22, tube 26 and the other elements are slidably mounted on the mandrel in the same manner as in the other form. A plurality of angular dogs 40, similar to the dogs 20 and having outwardly extending toothed slips 4I on their lower ends, are su`pported by the inclined seats I8' of the collar I1.

This form of the invention may be employed to insert or remiove a section of pipe, tubing or other member C having a smooth bore 42, into or from a well casing. When it is desired to connect the fishing tool to the member C, it is lowered into the casing on a wire line (not shown) in the same manner as the other form hereinbefore described. The elements carried by the mandrel will be in the position shown in Figure l and the dogs 40 will be in their normal or retracted position. As soon as the dogs are within the member C, downward movement of the tool is'suddenly stopped which will cause the elements carried by the mandrel to move downwardly thereon. The weight of these elements will be exerted upon the collar I1 and dogs 4I) and will force the latter downwardly and outwardly along the seat Ida, whereby the slips 4I of said dogs will moveoutwardly into engagement with the bore 42v of the member C.

The mandrel is then pulled upwardly so that the shoulder I6' of the head I5A will be in close proximity to the underside of the dogs, whereby the toothed slips will firmly grip the bore of the member C. This movement of the mandrel I3a relative to the dogs 40 is made possible by reason of the fact that the toothed slips of said dogs have a tendency to stick to the bore of the member. Further expansionl of the dogs is permitted by the length of the bevelled seat Ma so that, in the yevent the bore of the member has become enlarged, a positive gripping of the slips is assured. Of course, this form of the invention may be disconnected from the member C in a similar manner to that employed in disconnecting the rst form, as has been hereinbefore explained (Figure 3). To bring about this disconnection the mandrel Ila is moved downwardly from the position shown in Figure 12, whereby the head 15a of said mandrel is lowered through the bore 42 of the member C. Since the toothed slips 4| of the dogs are in gripping engagement with the bore of the member, said dogs will remain intheir expanded position during the downward movement of the mandrel. Lowering of the mandrel is continued until the lower end of the socket I2 contacts the upper end of the thimble 35, at which time, the bevelled seat 4a will be in a plane below the dogs 40. 'I'his movement of the mandrel also alines the lugs 34 of the arms 33 with the annular groove (not shown) of said mandrel. When the parts are in this position, the pipe section 39 is dropped into the well casing on a wire line to move the lugs 34 of the arms 33 into the annular groove of the mandrel, whereby said parts will be`1ocked in such position. It is noted that the jarring action ofthe pipe section 39 is especially important in this form, since it will tend to dislodge the toothed slips 4I of the dogs 40 from their gripping engagement with the bore of the member C, whereby they will move to their inward position.

'I'he foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may bemade, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fishing tool including, a support, gripping means slidable on the support and co-acting therewith so as to be expansible and retractible radially thereof, latching means on the support and associated with the gripping mleans for latching said gripping means in a retracted position, and means arranged to be lowered from the surface and adapted to be engaged over the latching means externally of the support for positively holding the same in its latched position.

2. A iishing tool including, a support, gripping means slidable on the support, said support having a tapered portion for co-acting with the gripping means to expand and retract the arms, latching means on the support and associated with the gripping means for latching said gripping means in a retracted position, and means arranged to be lowered from the surface and adapted to be engaged over the latching means externally of the support for positively holding the same in its latched position.

3. A iishing tool including, a support, gripping means slidable on the support and co-acting therewith so as to be expansible and retractible radially thereof, and latch arms slidable on the exterior of said support and associated with the gripping means, the latch arms being arranged to engage the exterior of said support to latch said means in a retracted position.

4. A fishing tool including, a support, gripping means slidable on the support and co-acting therewith lso as to be expansible and retractible radially thereof, latch arms slidable on said support and associated with the gripping means, the latch arms being arranged to engage said support to latch said means in a retracted position, and means arranged to be lowered from the surtace and adapted to be engaged over said latch arms externally of the support for positively holding the same in engagement with the support.

5. A fishing tool including, a support, gripping means slidable on the support. tapered means on the support co-acting with the gripping means, whereby said gripping means is expansible and retractible radially of the support, latch arms slidable on said support and associated with the gripping means, the latch arms being arranged to engage said support to latch said means in a retracted position, and a sleeve adapted to be engaged over said latch arms for positively holding the same in engagement with the support.

6. A fishing tool including, a support having a tapered portion near its lower end, a carrier slidably mounted on the support, gripping means on said carrier arranged to co-act with the tapered portion of the support so as to be expansible and retractible radially of said support, the support having a recess in its external surface, and a pivoted latch on the carrier adapted to engage the recess when moved inwardly of the support, and a sleeve arranged to engage over the carrier and the latch to move said latch inwardly to its locking position to lock the carrier and support together in a positonholding the gripping means in a retracted position.

7. A fishing -tool including, a mandrel having a portion of its external surface inclined outwardly, an elongate carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, gripping elements pivotally mounted on the carrier and arranged to co-act with the inclined portion of the mandrel, whereby said elements are expansible and retractible radially of the mandrel, and a pivoted latch carried by the upper end of the carrier and arranged to engage the exterior of the mandrel to lock the mandrel and carrier to each other in a position holding the inclined portion of the mandrel out of alinement with the gripping elements.

8. A iishing tool including, a mandrel having a portion of its external surface inclined outwardly, an elongate 4carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, lgripping elements pivotally mounted on the carrier and arranged to co-act with the inclined portion of the mandrel, whereby said elements are expansible and retractible radially of the mandrel, the mandrel having an annular groove in its peripheral surface, and latching members mounted in the carrier and movable radially oi.' the mandrel, said members being adapted to engage within the groove to lock the mandrel and carrier together, the groove and members being so disposed with relation to each other that they are alined for engagement when the tapered portion of the mandrel is misalined with the gripping elements.

9. A fishing tool including, a mandrel having a portion of its external surface inclined out'- wardly, an elongate carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, gripping elements pivotally mounted on the carrier and arranged to co-act with the inclined portion of the mandrel, whereby said elements are expansible and retractible radially of the mandrel, the mandrel having an annular groove in its peripheral surface, latching members mounted in the carrier and movable radially of the mandrel, said members being adapted to engage within the groove -to lock the mandrel and carrier together, the groove and members being so disposed with relation to each other that they are alined for engagement when the tapered portion of the mandrel is misalined with the gripping elements. and a sleeve engageable over the carrier and the locking members to move said members to an inner position in engagement with the groove and to hold said elements in such position.

10. A fishing tool including, a mandrel having a portion of its external surface inclined outwardly, an elongate carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, gripping elements pivotally mounted on the carrier and arranged to co-act with the inclined portion of the mandrel, whereby said elements are expansible and retractible radially of the mandrel, the mandrel having an annular groove in its peripheral surface, a latching assembly mounted on the carrier comprising an elongate collar surrounding the mandrel and having a plurality of vertical slots therein, and a radially movable latch member in each slot adapted to engage the annular groove in the mandrel to lock the mandrel and carrier to each other, the disposition of the latch members and groove be- 20 ing such that these parts are alined with each other when the inclined portion of the mandrel is misalined with the gripping elements and said elements are retracted.

11. A shing tool including, a mandrel having a portion of its external surface inclined outwardly, an elongate carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, gripping elements pivotally mounted on the carrier and arranged to co-act with the inclined portion of the mandrel, whereby said elements are expansible and retractible radially of the mandrel, each gripping element comprising a gripping slip having teeth on its outer sur.. face, and a. pivoted latch carried by the upper end of the carrier and arranged to engage the exterior of the mandrel to lock the mandrel and y carrier to each other in a position holding the inclined portion of the mandrel out of alinement with the gripping elements.

- JAMES F. CHAPPEIL. 

